Assessment and evaluation are critical practices for any organization. Yet, many congregations poorly assess and evaluate their vitality. There are several reasons for this:
a need for more time on the part of leaders
a lack of resources
a lack of expertise
Regardless, failing to take time to periodically and routinely assess the state of affairs is a liability for any organization, including congregations. Evaluative practices provide a corrective to the disadvantage of self-referencing: believing we’re doing a great job just because we say we are.
A church’s ministries are shaped by several factors: its history, denominational relations, size, location, predominant social class, identity, life stage, and leadership, for example. Below are essential congregational program and development areas common to most churches. Use this as a quick check-up with your staff and church leadership. Be honest; remember that critique is not criticism. Evaluation and assessment is a matter of integrity: Are we living up to our vision? Are we fulfilling our mission? Are we doing our best toward what we are called to do and be?
For each item grade yourself (A = Excellent, B = Good, C = Fair, D = Needs improvement, F = Fail) on (1) Capacity and (2) Effectiveness.
1. Leadership Development
Continuing education for professional and paid staff
Calling out and developing lay leadership for organizational and program ministries
Calling out and developing future leadership
2. Pastoral Care Ministries
Ministries related to the spiritual care of individual congregational members
Ministries related to the spiritual care of the larger community
Ministries related to the spiritual care of families and their members
3. Educational Ministries
Engaging in discipleship of congregational members
Teaching the Bible, its content and meaning
Training church educators and teachers
Providing spiritual growth opportunities and programs for church members and potential members
Providing resources for all church educational ministries
Planning, supervision, and administration of church educational programs
4. Music Ministries
Engaging the congregation in participating in the spiritual dimensions of music
Enhancing, leading, and educating the community in corporate and individual worship
Providing spiritual growth opportunities and programs for church members and potential members through music
5. Outreach Ministries
Reaching and teaching those outside of the church community
Proclaiming the Biblical message of Christ and the Church through
Providing the presence of Christ in the community and world
6. Missions and Ministries
Leading the congregation to engage in mission endeavors in the community and world
Teaching and educating the congregation in denominational missions, its theology, practices, and opportunities
Training congregational members and groups in missions and ministry endeavors
Providing spiritual growth opportunities and programs for church members and potential members through missions and ministry endeavors
7. Congregational Development
Working to ensure congregational health
Ensuring financial health and stewardship development
Providing means for the congregation’s organizational effectiveness
Helping ensure sound and effective administration of the congregational resources
Helping ensure the viability and relevance of the congregation as a local expression of the Body of Christ.
Israel Galindo is Associate Dean for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary. He directs the Pastoral Excellence Programs of the Center for Lifelong Learning.
